"It means everything," said the 29-year-old, who holds an 8-0-1 professional record. "I'm just glad I can come back. The last time I competed in Detroit was 10 years ago, and that outcome didn't come in my favor, so I want to come into the first UFC fight here and, hopefully, I can change that result."

That fight was actually a wrestling match during the MHSAA Division 3 state final in 2007 at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Klose, a senior at South Haven High School then, lost to Lake Fenton's Troy Smith, 8-6, by decision in the championship round.

Klose's high school career included state runner-up finishes in 2006 and 2007 and an individual state title at 160 pounds as a sophomore in 2005. In that match, he edged Stockbridge's Nick Moore, 8-7, by decision.

The lessons Klose took away from competing in high school sports in Michigan still guide him as a professional fighter.

Drakkar Klose in a UFC match.(Photo: Patrick Breen/azcentral sports)

The three-sport star played football and baseball under James C. McCloughan, a Vietnam War veteran who received the Medal of Honor in July, the first given out by President Donald Trump's administration.

"We didn't see eye to eye all the time," Klose said. "As I got older, the things he told me began making more sense to me, and now I understand the things he was teaching me."

Klose said McLoughan, who was a combat medic and a two-time Bronze Star and Purple Heart medal recipient, taught him about brotherhood and contributing to a team. Klose said if it weren't for McLoughan, he wouldn't have put together such a strong team that trains with him now in Glendale, Ariz.

The person who had the biggest impact on Klose, however, was longtime South Haven wrestling coach Tim Simpson.

"It started with him," Klose said. "If it weren't for him taking me (around the country, I wouldn't be here today). He drove me to my first college visit in Kansas. When I went to junior college in Kansas, he looked out for me. He'd always take me to places like West Virginia for senior nationals and take me to colleges."

Simpson has attended two of Klose's UFC fights, and the coach will be one of several South Haven residents Klose said will be making the trip eastward on I-94 to watch the fight in the Motor City.

"Everyone is excited," Klose said. "This means everything for me because I was raised in South Haven, and everything I do is for South Haven and the kids there. I want to let the kids there know that there are better things in life, and they can look up to me."

Klose, who has a tattoo of the state of Michigan on his chest, said he returns home as often as he can. Living in Arizona doesn't offer the "beautiful weather and the scenery" he gets on the Lake Michigan shoreline, and he misses visiting local beaches and going fishing in the summer.

Klose said a win for him this weekend is a win for Michigan.

"And, hopefully, it opens up the eyes to the UFC and lets them know there are a lot of talented young men here in Michigan, and I think we need to pull out more Michigan guys. Hopefully, UFC can also come back to the state again in the future, too."